Highton

[barker520]

Over a thousand villagers spring to life early in the morning in this small town, formerly known as Moston, situated where the cold sea meets the mouth of a large river. A large inn dominates the town square, and ragged men travel back and forth with the catch from the day's waters. A strong, ancient keep stands vigil on a small rise, overlooking the town, and small farms and barns, full of livestock, decorate the outskirts of the area.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat Lumberjack rides north from Highton.

Wat the White and Wat the Brown walks towards the Rills.

[barker520]

Jack forced smile after smile onto his face as various villagers cheered and waved to him as he entered the town, the largest one west of Barrowton. He passed Dan the fisherman, smiling happily, and the old woman they just called Grandmother, struggling along on her wooden staff with the aid of one of her many granddaughters. Everyone is so happy, Jack thought, except for me. It had been three weeks since his oldest son, Little Jack, had fallen in battle. He had returned to Goldgrass and this was first day of leaving the dark walls of his quarters in those three long weeks. He had business with Wat, the leader of all the villages and his good friend. He walked into the common room at the large inn, and found him sitting with three other men, all listening intently and then booming with laughter at something Wat had said. He took a seat beside Wat, and as he did, the three men disappeared, all mumbling something about the wife wanting them to get home. "Hi, Wat," Jack said softly.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Hi Jack, I'm truly sorry for your loss. We did them upity lords real bloody good though, but revenge is not always enough," Wat said sincerly.

[barker520]

"No, its never enough," Jack said quietly, more to himself than Wat. "But you know that as well as I do, Wat," he said, turning back to his friend. Wat's wife had been murdered by the nobility, same as his. After helping himself to a drink of Wat's ale, he leaned back in his wooden chair, and asked curiously, "So what business do ya got with me and the other men?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat sighed. "I need people I can trust in the keeps. And those who were with the liberation from the start have to be rewarded somehow. I know that they will only do what things in the people's interests. Some lords think that they rule the smallfolk, but the right thing would be that the lords serve the people to everyones good. Some bloody lords forget that. I am charging you to be the Keeper of Slateville and it's people. I trust that you will make the people proud. Will you do this for the people friend?" Wat asked.

[barker520]

Jack stared blankly ahead, bewildered. Two months ago he had been a cook. Now he was being asked to run a keep and city. When he was young this would have been his dream, but now he would give this opportunity up a million times to hug his oldest son or wife again. "Of course, Wat, I'll do whatever you ask...," Jack said reluctantly. Shaking his head, he reminded himself that he had to see the bigger picture, not dwell on his own loss no matter how horrible. "Yes, I will. I'd be proud to serve the people of Slateville," he said, louder this time, and with a smile. He called loudly for someone to bring him and his friend some ale.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat rose and clapped Jack on the back. "I know this is so much larger than we first envisioned, but we'll manage somehow. I'm sure you'll do a lot bloody better than bloody Slate".

[barker520]

Jack smiled at his friend's confidence and after thanking a pretty girl with gold hair who brought him his drink, he settled back into the conversation. "What about the other keeps, Wat? Your own coz would be a fine choice, ya know, but that still leaves one more. Whatcha plan on doin about that las' keep?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Yes Brendan will also serve well as a Keeper. Overton maybe the wenches there seemed to like him. The people of Goldgrass will choose who they will as Keeper. Though I must confess that you will get a councilor of sorts that is chosen by the people you will serve. Sometimes the temptetion might be to strong and eventually we might set us selves up as lords. Oh how I shudder at that thought. The councilors will serve to keep our minds focused on what's important."

[barker520]

Jack nodded firmly. "Aye, a smart idea. Are you sure you're not one of them highborn lords?" he asked Wat jokingly. "Lordship seems to come easy enough for ya," Jack remarked admiringly. But that wasn't the only thing Jack was admiring, as the pretty girl with the gold hair whizzed by again, bearing a trey of hot stew, bread, and ale.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat chuckles a bit at the joke. "There's a bloody difference between being smart and being a lord. I read a book recently about those dragon kings. One in their family quaffed down fire. How stupid can you be? Everyone knows you can't drink fire."

[barker520]

Jack shook his head in equal amazement at the notion of someone attempting to drink fire, and having a friend who can read a whole book. "Wat, this here town is thrice as big as any other place we've set free, and so I figure its the most important. While I'm here, lemme gather some men and improve on the defenses at the keep, and we'll also rebuild some of these ragged shacks some of our friends call home."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat nods at Jack's notion. "Good thinking friend. Send the ones who lives in the shack to stay at the keep while you build. And if you find Brendan could you send him to me?"

[barker520]

Jack rose, anxious to work to help his mind escape for a short while from his sorrow. "Aye, I'll do that for you, friend," Jack said in his customary gruff voice. He drank down the last of his ale, shook hands with Wat, and then proceeded to leave the inn, taking one more longing look at the golden-haired girl. She looks like Lisa, Jack thought sadly.